Toledo Chamber Blog

EPIC Members Connect with Colonel Craig Baker

Thirty-five EPIC Toledomembers had the opportunity to have breakfast with Col. Craig Baker, Commander 180th Fighter Wing and listen to his “Four Principles of Effective Leadership.” EPIC Members had an enjoyable and educational morning complete with a Q & A session, gear demonstrations and a tour of the base. Col. Baker even shared information about theF-35A mission with members that were curious about how the mission could positively impact our community.

The “Four Principles of Effective Leadership”

EmpowermentEmpower people to do their job and trust them to do it well. As a leader you will get back time from empowering others.

Make DecisionsWhen making decisions you will never have all of the information you may want, but you have to be courageous, take a risk, and make the decision that is best for your team.

Pay Attention to DetailKnow your people and your organization. Pay attention to everything and take note of it.

CredibilityMust establish trust with those that you are leading. From making life or death decisions to simply keeping an appointment, you only have one shot to establish trust with others.

Colonel Baker imparted additional wisdom to the group and shared that you can be an effective leader and not be a good leader. The key to being both effective and good is to have moral character on top of following the four principles.

After the presentation, EPIC members were able to take a tour of the base. Danny Woodcock “went to flight school” and sat in the 180th’s flight training simulator, while Matt Yarder, EPIC Toledo Chair, had the opportunity to try on gear with Col. Baker. View the entire photo gallery.

Col. Baker left the group with several stories and many things to think about as they forge ahead in their personal leadership journeys. ​

”Take care of those in your charge, don’t take charge of those in your care."

Thank you Colonel Baker and all of the personnel at the 180th Fighter Wing for your hospitality and everything you do for our community. If you’d like another opportunity to meet Colonel Baker and hear him speak, he will be headlining the June Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce Focus Lunch. The deadline to register is Thursday, June 8!

Emily Dammeyer is the Communications Manager at the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce. She has a background in Social Media Management and received a degree in Organizational Communication from Miami University.